CAIR-OK: Annual Ramadan Day of Service at Food Bank Fights Hunger

Nearly 200 Muslims Packed More than 9,600 Meals for Oklahomans

(OKLAHOMA CITY) – June 30, 2016 – On Saturday, nearly 200 Oklahoma Muslims spent the afternoon sorting and packing food to help the one in six Oklahomans who struggle with hunger every day.

“In the month of Ramadan when we are abstaining from food and drink, we are encouraged to think of how we can help those in need," said Adam Soltani, executive director of CAIR-OK. "It is for that reason that, year after year, our Ramadan Day of Service increases in the number of volunteers who want to give back to our fellow Oklahomans."

One in six Oklahomans struggles with hunger. Most of the clients served by the Regional Food Bank are seniors, children and families. The Regional Food Bank is the largest private hunger-relief organization in the state of Oklahoma. Last fiscal year, the nonprofit distributed 49.9 million pounds of food and products through a network of more than 1,250 charitable feeding programs and schools in 53 central and western Oklahoma counties.

“We are grateful for the volunteer support provided by CAIR-OK,” said Rodney Bivens, executive director of the Regional Food Bank. “Their annual day of service with the Regional Food Bank has made a significant impact in the lives of hungry Oklahomans. Thanks to their hard work, the equivalent of 9,675 meals will be provided to our hungry Oklahoma neighbors this summer.”

The Oklahoma Muslim community is an active, civically engaged community that desires an enhanced quality of life for all residents of Oklahoma. Saturday's Annual Ramadan Day of Service is also a part of the Oklahoma Muslims Care campaign, a program designed to facilitate community service opportunities for Oklahoma Muslims. The campaign highlights the commitment to service towards the betterment of all in the state and participation helps Oklahoma Muslims honor their beliefs by giving back to those in need.

CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations)-OK is a chapter of America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Their mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

Together, we can solve hunger. For more information visit regionalfoodbank.org or call 405-600-3161.

About the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma

The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is the state’s largest private domestic hunger-relief organization and a member of Feeding America’s network of Food Banks. The nonprofit provides enough food to feed more than 116,000 hungry Oklahomans each week through a network of more than 1,250 schools and charitable feeding programs in 53 central and western Oklahoma counties. Since its inception in 1980, the Regional Food Bank has distributed nearly 600 million pounds of food to feed Oklahoma’s hungry. For more information, visit http://www.regionalfoodbank.org; find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/regionalfoodbank or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/rfbo.